Iverson Shoots & Scores With Reebok

for love of the game

Reebok International chairman and CEO Paul Fireman justified the deal by saying that "Allen's love for the game is clearly demonstrated each time he takes the court." Making $11.25 million a year on his basketball contract alone would bring a smile to any brother's face, but I digress.

Fireman went on to add that, "anyone who watches Allen knows [that] he plays for the love of the game, which provides today's youth with an example of how to live their lives as all of us want for our children." Criminal records, guns and joints aside, Allen is a class act in a league that seldom showcases classless acts.

if it's not one thing...

Iverson matter of factly stated that he simply wishes fans would see him "as a human being, somebody just like them, not better or worse. I'm just trying to get better as a basketball player and as a person."

Neither the present MVP, Reebok nor Iverson's camp stipulated on the contract's terms, but time will tell how the ambitious deal will fare over time. While Iverson has the talent to be in the top handful of players, his small frame will be tested over the course of his career.

From a purely business or investment angle, I imagine that Reebok would peg the compensation to his performance, both individually and as a team. But surely Iverson would not go for that. Not that he isn't confident, it's just that he's not that dumb.

The fact that Iverson is not playing Reebok against Adidas, Nike and friends as a bargaining chip shows that despite the criticism, he really does simply love the game.

'til death do us part?

The first of its kind, the press originally played the angle that the deal was literally a "lifetime deal," even though the terms are not exactly clear. While some assume that Iverson will endorse Reebok (or is it the other way around?) until the end of his professional career, Fireman has said that the contract will extend beyond Iverson's career on the court.

Whether Reebok will stay in the shoe business or roll out wheelchairs for retirees remains to be seen, but Reebok plans on using the Iverson persona to sell shoes beyond his days on the court.

In the short-term though, expect to see more vintage Iverson in Reebok marketing campaigns, promoting the best-seller "The Answer" show.

When the seconds tick, this deal just shows that Iverson is indeed beyond his peers; he simply wishes to focus on the court and let the business side rest. And by signing this lifetime deal, the Answer is simple: no worries off the court.

Question: Allen Iverson's previous deal with Reebok was slated to run over 10 years and pay him $50 million. How many shoes would Reebok have to sell to make its money back?

Answer: Iverson's 10-year, $50 million deal meant that Reebok had to sell 500,000 pairs of shoes at $100, just to break even over 10 years. Selling 50,000 pairs per year means that for every game that he plays (82), Reebok has to sell 610 pairs.